7 Dirtiest spots in your home

Hidden grit and grime

You consider yourself a clean person, but how clean is your house, really? Sure, we all know how to spot clean, but some of the dirtiest places in your home are the spots you never think to clean. They’re the things you use daily that usually look clean but absorb bacteria like a sponge.

1

Toothbrush holder

The bathroom is a place you to go get clean, but many of the items in your bathroom are anything but. Case in point: your toothbrush holder. These grimy holders are the barrier between your toothbrush (something you put in your mouth every single day) and the countertop. Yet they’re rarely washed. They can be washed like a normal cup with a lid, or rinse them out and run them through the dishwasher for a deep clean. Do this once every other week to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

2

Pet bowl

You already know your pet isn’t the cleanest member of your family, but in this case, their cleanliness relies on you. Pet bowls see daily use, but unlike the bowls we use for our own food, they’re rarely cleaned. Calcium builds up and bacteria breed as your pet laps up water and food. Treat your pet’s bowls like you would dishes belonging to any member of your family. Wash them at least once a week by hand or in the dishwasher.

3

Bath tub/shower

How dirty could your bath tub or shower really be? Answer: extremely. It might be the place you go to wash away dirt, bacteria and oil, but if your drain is clogged, your shower is doing anything but. Make sure to snake your tub or drain whenever it starts to get backed up and clean the area with a germ-fighting cleaner. Bleach works great, but if you prefer the natural approach, white vinegar can do the trick too.

4

Computer keyboard

Possibly the biggest offender on the list, computer keyboards are frequently touched but rarely cleaned. All of the germs and oils on your hands transfer onto the computer keys, leaving behind a plethora of illness-causing grime. Simple bleach wipes can do the trick, or try antibacterial spray misted onto a cleaning cloth. Be sure to blow out any food crumbs that get caught in the cracks with a compressed air canister for a fully clean look.

5

Carpets/rugs

You wash your clothes, throw rugs and rags, but you surround yourself with dirty fibers every day. Carpets and large rugs collect dirt, mites, pet dander, food residue and more. How often you clean your carpets and area rugs largely depends on your lifestyle. If you have kids and pets, carpet cleaning should be more frequent — two or three times a year. If you’re single and spend most of your time away from the house, cleanings can be less frequent.

6

Kitchen sink

Your dishes might get clean in the kitchen sink, but what’s washed away from pots and pans often festers in the bottom of the sink once you’re done. Grease, bacteria and food residue are never a pretty sight. Shine up your kitchen sink daily with white vinegar or the cleaner of your choice to have a sparkling finish and squeaky-clean assurance.

7

Toilet

This one is kind of a no-brainer considering all of the business that goes on there. But the bacteria isn’t just breeding on the toilet seat and inside the bowl; it’s also on the lid and base. Give your toilet an in-depth cleaning with bleach wipes or disinfectant spray.